S.S. Joie de Vivre review: All the joys of spring with Uniworld

Related links

Share

Renowned for its fleet of recherché vessels that boast opulent
exuberance, Uniworld is in a league of its own.

This unique river cruise company defies convention, and the
latest addition to their fleet is an incarnation of a Parisian
boutique hotel par excellence. No one who witnessed the interiors
of the 128-passenger S.S. Joie de Vivre, resplendent with fin de
siècle detailing, Beaux-Arts furniture and 20th century French
posters, was left in any doubt this was indeed a paragon.

At 410 feet, Joie de Vivre is slightly smaller than her fleet
sisters. This was an operational constraint to allow the ship to
dock at Quai André Citroen in the heart of Paris and offer guests
an up-close-and-personal perspective on the Statue of Liberty
standing sentinel on the tiny Ile des Cygnes. It is one of the few
ships that navigate the Seine as
far north as Caudebec-en-Caux.

During my cruise I spoke to Toni Tollman - lead designer of
Uniworld's river vessels and daughter of Stanley and Beatrice
Tollman, who created Red Carnation Hotels.

"We set out to create a celebration of all things French: their
culture and passion for food and wine. The style of 20th century
designers such as Jean-Michel Frank and Armand-Albert Rateau
inspired me to create this amazing grand hotel super-yacht on the
Seine," boasted Toni.

Indeed Joie de Vivre positively oozes the very best of French
cuisine. Every meal in Restaurant Le Pigalle is a tour de force.
Lighter options are available in the Parisian-style Le Bistrot,
forward of the main lounge, as well as in Claude's Supper Club
where brasserie cuisine comes with superb river views. Dedicated
gourmets can sign up for a specially created dinner at the Chef's
Table in the Cave des Vins. High-quality French wines are sourced
by the onboard certified sommeliers and served on a complimentary
basis in all restaurants and bars.

The Salon Toulouse has been cleverly created to give more space
for socialising by moving the bar to the forward part of this plush
room. Nightly entertainment is a cut above the norm for river
cruising and on two nights classic French films are shown in Club
L'Esprit. By day this room offers an indoor swimming pool and is a
quieter option for guests wishing to read or catch up on their
emails thanks to fast WiFi. Close by is the fitness centre and spa
offering a host of treatments. From the lobby, which is crowned by
a trompe l'oeil ceiling and antique crystal chandelier, guests
ascend a sweeping wrought-iron double staircase to the open
deck.

There are three decks of staterooms and suites. Two Royal Suites
and eight Suites on Victor Hugo Deck are attended by two butlers.
Each has its own unique colour scheme with silk wall fabrics as
well as antique mirrors. There's a balcony with a window that drops
at the flick of a switch, as well as period cabinets concealing a
mini-bar; not to mention lavishly appointed bathrooms with shower
and bath. Category 1, 2 and 3 staterooms have similarly plush
appointments. Category 4 and 5 staterooms have small windows as
opposed to drop-down balconies.

The all-inclusive 7-night cruises from Paris offer a close
encounter with the bucolic Normandy countryside, while shore
excursions reveal Richard the Lionheart's Chateau Gaillard; the
medieval capital of Rouen; Monet's impossibly pretty garden at
Giverny; and the poignant Normandy beaches.